Raul wants last word before goodbye

Insists on scrapping annual mayor awards for best teacher saying there's too much lobbyingControversy queen, Mayor Shubha Raul, has done it again. A few days before she retires on November 30, she has decided to scrap the annual mayor's award for the best teacher.u00a0The award was instituted for BMC teachers 30 years ago. Nomination papers for the mayoral candidates begin today.u00a0Shraddha Jadhav (Shiv Sena-BJP) has been nominated, while Krishila Kadam (Congress) too filed papers. The elections are on December 1.However, Raul's staff is unhappy with the decision and has kept the letter, which was to be sent to the municipal commissioner's office, on hold.u00a0 Hai Bhagwan! Mayor Shubha Raul's decision has not gone down well with her staff. She retires on November 30.Her decision to scrap the award will not go down well and in the long run, it will certainly affect her image. We want to discuss it with her before the letter is sent. She wants to scrap it because she is aware of the lobbying people do to get the award, said an official.Said Raul, There are always blame-games after the awards and if the award is creating a problem then why have it at all? Why not we give the award to doctors, or somebody who has done something very significant?u00a0The award will always have my opposition. Even if the corporation goes ahead with the award, I am completely against the cash prize of Rs 10,000.Instead of scrapping the award it can be given to the one who has done something significantly noteworthy in a year's time. For example, last year it was our fire brigade team. Also, the next mayor may be in favour of the award so why not suggest something that will be accepted by everyone? said the official.Armed guardsOn November 10, Raul had sent a letter to the municipal commissioner requestingu00a0 armed security guards for the mayor's office.Did you know?On the night of 26/11/2008, after hearing about the terror attacks, Raul went to the BMC disaster control room at Fort and monitored the situation.